Supporters of both parties are going to become a little more intense as each day brings us closer to the election.
In a recent FoxNews.com article, Republican Virginia teachers are upset by a mass e-mail sent out by the state's teacher union to its members in support of Democratic nominee Obama. The e-mail asked teachers to dress in blue this past Tuesday in representation of their support for Obama.
While "Obama Blue Day" may have been a good suggestion at the time to the union, Republican teachers view it as a way to influence students' views.
At the same time, New York teacher unions have been scrutinized for distributing thousands of Obama buttons to its members.
Ann Forte, New York Department of Education spokeswoman, said, "Schools are not a place for politics and not a place for staff to wear political buttons."
I agree.
While I find these actions unacceptable, I cannot argue that they are not protected under the first amendment. But do I believe it's a form of propaganda? Yes, I do. Schools are institutions where youth should not be influenced, particularly by their educators. The media frenzy of who to support is not an appropriate setting where youths are easily persuaded. Students should not have to worry about theirs and their teachers' political beliefs juxtaposing.
Teachers should respect their students by not intentionally bringing personal views into the classroom. I find these union members' actions extremely disrespectful, and I'm disappointed in the fact that they are intentionally influencing America's youth. Education is about providing the individual with necessary tools to learn and form their own opinions.
In a recent FoxNews.com article, Republican Virginia teachers are upset by a mass e-mail sent out by the state's teacher union to its members in support of Democratic nominee Obama. The e-mail asked teachers to dress in blue this past Tuesday in representation of their support for Obama.
While "Obama Blue Day" may have been a good suggestion at the time to the union, Republican teachers view it as a way to influence students' views.
At the same time, New York teacher unions have been scrutinized for distributing thousands of Obama buttons to its members.
Ann Forte, New York Department of Education spokeswoman, said, "Schools are not a place for politics and not a place for staff to wear political buttons."
I agree.
While I find these actions unacceptable, I cannot argue that they are not protected under the first amendment. But do I believe it's a form of propaganda? Yes, I do. Schools are institutions where youth should not be influenced, particularly by their educators. The media frenzy of who to support is not an appropriate setting where youths are easily persuaded. Students should not have to worry about theirs and their teachers' political beliefs juxtaposing.
Teachers should respect their students by not intentionally bringing personal views into the classroom. I find these union members' actions extremely disrespectful, and I'm disappointed in the fact that they are intentionally influencing America's youth. Education is about providing the individual with necessary tools to learn and form their own opinions.
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